Yes, the same Robin Soderling that got creamed by Nadal 6-1, 6-0 in the Rome Masters last month. Yes, the same Robin Soderling that had a nasty spat with Nadal at Wimbledon in 2007 (he imitated Nadal’s wedgie pull and pumped his fists instead of apologizing for a lucky net cord shot). Nadal won that match in 5 sets.

A friend of mine told me a few days ago that the only reason he doubted Nadal was because he refuses to believe the tennis gods will allow someone wearing a fluoro pink shirt to win the French Open. Turns out he was right.

So Roger Federer, who plays Tommy Haas later, must be drooling. After all, Nadal has deprived him of the only Grand Slam missing from his trophy cabinet for the last 3 years in the French Open Final. Could this finally be the year where Federer, who is obviously not the same as his old dominating self, wins the French Open? With Djokovic already knocked out, his chances have improved significantly. If only Andy Murray can lose before the Final then Federer has got to be the favourite. The question is, will he capitalise on the rare opportunity or choke by losing to someone else?